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September 2 2016

Burlington Man Indicted with Former Mob Boss In Connection to 1993 Murder

By: BNEWS

Two men, one from Burlington, with alleged ties to organized crime were indicted in connection to the 1993 murder of Steven Disarro, a South Boston nightclub manager.

According to a release from U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Massachusetts, Frank “Cadillac” Salemme, a former boss of the New England Family of La Cosa Nostra (NELCN), and former NELCN associate Paul Weadick, were charged in an indictment unsealed on Friday.

Francis P. Salemme, 83, and Paul Weadick, 61, of Burlington, were indicted on one count of murder of a federal witness, the release states. On Aug. 10, 2016, Salemme was arrested pursuant to a criminal complaint. Weadick was arrested Friday morning and was scheduled to appear before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald. L. Cabell the same day.

The indictment alleges that, on or about May 10, 1993, Salemme and Weadick murdered DiSarro to prevent him from communicating with federal law enforcement officials about violations of federal laws by Salemme and others. Shortly after the murder, Salemme allegedly transported DiSarro’s body to Providence, R.I., where his associates arranged to have it buried in the vicinity of 715 Branch Avenue. In March 2016, DiSarro’s remains were recovered by federal authorities behind a mill in Providence.

Authorities say DiSarro was murdered after his relationship with Salemme and Salemme’s son, Francis P. Salemme, Jr., became the subject of federal investigation. Part of that investigation revolved around the operation of a South Boston night club known as “The Channel.” Weadick was a close associate of Salemme, Jr., the release states.

Salemme was the boss of the New England La Cosa Nostra during the early 1990’s until his indictment for racketeering in 1995 and conviction in 1999, authorities say. He was subsequently convicted of obstruction of justice in 2008 for lying to federal authorities about the murder of DiSarro.

The charge of murder of a federal witness provides for a sentence of death or life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.